Leander ISD students continue to score above state and national averages on the SAT, showing they are prepared to take entry-level, credit-bearing college courses. Sixty-seven percent of students who took the newly designed SAT met or exceeded the new College and Career Readiness benchmarks, compared to 38 percent at the state and 46 percent at the national level.

This year’s SAT performance results set a new baseline for future year-to-year comparisons. The SAT test consists of evidence-based reading and writing and mathematics sections. Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800 points. This year’s results are as follows:

Director of College and Career Readiness Lisa Nucci noted that LISD students’ scores have been positively impacted by offering students the aligned SAT Suite of Assessments, from PSAT 8/9 to PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT.

All eighth- and ninth-grade students will take the PSAT 8/9, while all 10th- and 11th-grade students will take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test), on Wednesday, Oct. 11. These tests will be administered at no cost to LISD students. The cost for PSAT administrations for all high school students is covered by the district. Additionally, LISD will offer a school-day SAT on March 7 to all interested 11th-grade students.

“Preparation and practice for college entrance assessments like the SAT/ACT may provide a real return on investment for students and families,” Nucci said. “Many colleges and universities note on their websites the scholarship money available for SAT/ACT test scores. For example, if a student scores a 1270 or higher on the SAT and is in the top 25 percent of their class, an IB Diploma Candidate, or an AP Capstone Candidate, Texas State University will offer $4,000 a year for four years, totaling $16,000. If a student scores a 1450 or higher, he or she will receive $8,000 per year for four years for $32,000.”

All students who take the PSAT/NMSQT receive personalized online SAT practice through Khan Academy based on their test performance. College Board’s partnership with Khan Academy offers: personalized instant feedback, official full-length SAT practice tests, and thousands of practice questions, video lessons and hints.

Additional information regarding the SAT and free prep resources are available on district’s College and Career Readiness webpage. Students are encouraged to use this information in preparing for an SAT and/or ACT in spring of their junior year.